Combination-lock



(No Model.)

M; H. SMITH. COMBINATION LOCK.

No. 596,1.a5. Patented 1360,28, 1897.

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UNITED STATES ATnNT Urricn.

MELVIN H. SMITH, OF GALIEN, MICHIGAN.

COMBINATION-LOCK.

SPECIFICATION forming' part of Letters Patent N o. 596,185, datedvDecember 28, 1897.

Application led Mmh 2 71 l 8 9 '7' To @ZZ whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, MELVIN I-I. SMITH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Galien,

in the county of Berrien and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Combination-Locks;` and I' do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description ofthe invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to a novel construction in a combination-lock, the object being to provide a cheap and simple device of this character in which a large number of combinations are possible and which will permit changing of the combination at any time; and it consists in the features of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, illustrating my invention, Figure 1 is a plan view of a combination-lock constructed in accordance with my invention with the cover removed. Fig. 2 is alongitudinal section of the same on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a transverse section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view of one of the keys.

Referring now to said drawings, A indicates a box or casing containing a frame B, consisting of two longitudinal plates 1 and two crosspieces 2. lSaid plates 1 are provided adjacent their upper vedges with recesses 3, in which keys 4 are adapted to be slidingly mounted. Said keys 4 consistof plates 5, provided with slots 6, which are adapted to be partially covered and thus reduced by means of plates 7, pivoted to said plates 5 on each side of said slots 6. Said plates 7 are of greater extent on one side of said pivots than on the other side thereof, so that when theshorter side lies between said slot 6 and said pivot the inner edge of said plate 7 is Hush with the end of the slot, and when turned one hundred and eighty degrees the longer end thereof will project over said slot, and thus reduce the same. Said keys 4 are further provided with pins 8, which are adapted to abut against the sides of the box A to limit the movement ofthe keys in that direction and also to serve as bearings for springs 9, interposed between the same and the adjacent outer faces of the plates 1, said springs being trained around said keys.

Serial No. 629,487. (No model Said boxA is provided with recesses 10 in its sides, through which the ends of the keys 4 beyond the pins 8 are adapted to project. Said slots 10 in one side of said box A are situated in alinement with alternate recesses 3 of the plates 1, while the recesses 10 in the other side of said box are situated in alinement with the remaining recesses 3, so that one halt' of the keys project from one side 0f the box and the remainder from the opposite side. By means of the pins 8 and springs 9 said keys 4 are so adjusted in position in said box or casing A as t0-be located midway between the plates 1, so as to limit the passage of the bolt 11 therethrough and through slots 12 in the ends of said box or casing and in the cross-pieces 2. Said bolt 11 is adapted to move longitudinally, the movement thereof being limited by means of a pin 13, adapted to abut against one of said cross-pieces 2 when said bolt has reached the rearward limit of its movement and against the adjacent end of the box when said bolt has reached the forward limit of its movement. A pin 14 is also provided in the opposite end portion of said bolt 11, between which and the adjacent plate 2 a spring 15 is interposed, which serves to hold said bolt 11 normally at the rearward limit of its movement. Said bolt 11 is provided with a series of corresponding notches on both sides and between said pins 13 and 14, so as to form a series of rearwardly-facing shoulders 16, which are adapted to be engaged by such of the plates 7 on said keys 4 as partially cover the slots 6 therein. The widest portion of said bolt 11 is adapted to fit and A to be thrown into engagement with said shoulders 16 when said bolt 11 is moved tothe forward limit of its movement, as shown in Fig. 4. In Fig. 1 the plates 7 on the keys a, Z, c, d, and c are turned so as t0 permit the free movement of the bolt 11 between the same, while the plates 7 on the keys f, g, and h are turned so that the endmost plates project into the notches. Obviously by moving said bolt 11 to the forward limit of its movement, as indicated by the arrow, the inclined edges formed by the notches would engage said endmost plates 7, thus drawing the keys j', g, and 7L to the inner limits of theirmovement against the action of said springs 9 until the next succeeding shoulders 16 are passed, when said springs 9 would throw the said plates 7 into engagement with said shoulders 16. To cause said bolt to spring back to the rearward limit of its movement, it will be obvious that the keys f, g, and h must be pressed inwardly to the inward limit of their movement-that is, until their inner ends abut against the inner face of the opposite side of the box-thus throwing the endmost plates 7 out of the path of said shoulders 1G. It will also be obvious that all of said keys f, g, and h must be pressed simultaneously in order to release said bolt and that if all of said keys f, g, and h and any one or more of the remaining keys be pressed simultaneously said bolt 11 cannot be released, for the reason that by pressing one of the keys not included in the combination the plate 7 thereon nearest the projecting end of the key will be thrown into the path of said shoulders 1G, and thus prevent the movement of the bolt.

In order to change the combination, the cover 17 must be removed, the keys Ll taken out, and the position of the plates 7 on those desired to be changed reversed. The keys and cover are then replaced.

I claim as my invention- 1. In adevice of the kind specited, the combination with a plurality of keys slidingly mounted in a box or casing and provided with slots, and plates pivotally mounted on said keys and adapted to partially cover said slots, of a bolt adapted to pass through said slots and provided with shoulders adapted to be engaged by said plates when said bolt is at the forward limit of its movement, substantially as described.

2. In a device of the kind specified, the eom bination with a plurality of keys slidingly mounted in a boX or casing and provided with slots, and plates pivotally mounted on said keys and adapted to partially cover said slots, of a bolt adapted to pass through said slots and provided with shoulders adapted to be engaged by said plates when said bolt is at the forward limit of its movement, means for throwing said plates out of engagement with said shoulders, and a spring for causing said bolt to spring back to the rearward limit of its movement, substantially as described.

3. In a device of the kind specified, the combination with a bolt provided with a series of shoulders, of keys provided with slots adapted to receive said bolt, and with plates pivotally mounted thereon and adapted to be turned so that their inner edges are flush with or project over the adjacent ends of said slots,where by said projecting plates on the inner ends of said keys are thrown into the path of said shoulders to engage said bolt and hold the saine at the forward limit of its movement, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

MELVIN II. SMITH.

Witnesses:

C. D. INGLES, RUDOLPH WM. Lo'rz. 

